Happy Birthday To My Sister (on the 31st)

L-Listener....my sister listens to me for hours. Sometimes about things that are really important, my hopes and dreams , my questions about faith and direction. Sometimes about things that don't matter so much, what I ate for lunch, how I need a break from my kids.

I can't imagine who I would call if I didn't have her.

I-Intelligent...my sister is so smart. She worked so very hard to pay her own way through college and graduate with high honors. Now she works for a tax accountant...what a brain! She really thinks through decisions that she makes and is not an "emotional thinker" like me.

She is definitely my "go to" person whenever I need advice.

S-Super Mom...my sister is a super mom. This mom of 4, can often be found volunteering in her kids' school, helping with Little Flowers, preparing something for something (boy scouts, teacher luncheons, you name it she does it). At the end of the day, she doesn't go to bed without tucking in her sweet children. Even when her tank is empty, she keeps on giving. She is a great example of motherly love.

A-Alli and Avery's godmother...my sister is the best godmother. She takes the role very seriously, encouraging them to grow in their faith. She definitely earned the title of "mother" with Alli as she walked up and down the hallway with me for hours never complaining. It was her face that Alli first saw that glorious day in October, thirteen years ago.

I can't imagine sharing that special moment with anyone else.

Lisa, when I think about our relationship, it makes me so glad that God blessed my girls with sisters. I hope you have a wonderful day and a year filled with God's love and grace. Thank you for the many ways you bless my life.

Merry Christmas!

We pray that you will feel the love and peace that comes only from Christ our Lord this blessed Christmas! Love, The Rice Family

The Egg Drop

Ethan had a big project for school. "The Egg Drop". When he brought home the paper detailing all the specifications, I wanted to cry. When I saw the section that said you could not use a parachute or any gases besides air, I knew I was out. I definitely do NOT have a scientific brain, so I promptly assigned Randy to help him with that one. The whole concept was to create "something" that would hold an egg and keep it from cracking while it was dropped from the window of the press box at our football stadium.

Friday was the big drop and here is his "contraption" as it was about to be dropped.Mid flight.

Ethan's teacher, Mrs. Huxman coming to inspect the egg.

SUCCESS!!! His egg did not crack! (notice all the cheering in the background...they were chanting Ethan Rice, Ethan Rice!)

Ethan and Randy had a great time taking apart a couch cushion and making a safe little home for his egg. Randy even tested it... by throwing it up in the air as high as he could (a few times) in the street. I bet our neighbors were wondering about us. In the end, it was a really cool project to be a part of. We are so amazed at all the ways our teachers here in Moundridge make learning a hands on experience for our kids. We are truly blessed and I am grateful to have a husband and son who's brains work just a little differently than mine.

A Dozen Anniversaries

I promise I will do a better job updating this blog. I'm sure some of you have stopped checking, but don't give up on me.

Today is our 12th Anniversary. I am so blessed to be married to this wonderful man. I pray that God will grant us dozens more.

Four Pounds

Bethany had a check up with the doctor this afternoon. She is doing great. They couldn't hear any wheezing at all. We get to go down another level on the steroids and if she continues to do well she will be completely off of them in 10 days. We are looking foward to that. She has gained four pounds since she got sick. I think a couple of our other kiddos could benefit from a round of steroids....hee hee!

Operation Goobers to Drubers

A few weeks ago, my friend Lori emailed me about planning a midnight trip to Drubers for our 6th graders. For those of you not from this area, Drubers is an all night Donut Shop in Newton. I had never been there but am always up for a fun time. So "Operation Goobers to Drubers" was formed. We both did a great job keeping it a secret from the kids. The surprise might have been on us though, because Lori called me at 11:00 and told me to look outside. We were in a snow storm! That didn't stop us though. So at 11:40, I went downstairs and told the girls (Alli and her friend Anna) that it was time to go. They ran around going nuts trying to find their shoes and really freaked when they saw Frazer's van in the driveway. Good thing we drove separately because in between phone calls to Cade and Colton to try to guess where we were going, they were fixing their hair in the mirror. Girls, girls, girls! They had no idea where we were going but in the end, the two biggest guesses were Cosmic Bowling or a graveyard. I think they were happy with the outcome. Here are a few pics.The girls waiting in line....

This was my imitation of the old V8 commercials where everyone stood diagonal until they drank one. The kids were too young to remember them, but Lori thought I was funny.

Eating their donuts.

We made them pose for some pics afterwards. I'm not sure if Cade was trying to poke Alli in the eye or not. But it sure looks funny. Notice the girls are in their pjs and the boys are still in their band clothes from the field trip to Lindsborg. Gotta love the difference between boys and girls.

"Operation Goobers to Drubers" was a great success. I don't think any of them will forget their first trip anytime soon.

Hospital

Last Thursday night after a couple days of bad asthma, Bethany had the worst attacks she had ever had. She was absolutely terrified and so were we. We rushed her to the ER where we found out that her oxygen level was in the 80s. They admitted her right away, put her on oxygen and began IV steroids, antibiotics and increased her breathing treatments. We were able to wean her off the oxygen yesterday and she was dismissed late this morning. As we pulled away from the hospital, she said, "I think I'm gonna start crying I am so happy." I felt the same way. We are so glad to have her home with the rest of our family. Thank you so much to all the people who helped out with our other kiddos and entertained them during the last 4 days. They experienced everything from pizza parties to sleepovers to softball games and basketball games to a musical in McPherson. It's often during these times of struggle that we are able to see our blessings so clearly.
I'll try to update soon on how Bethany is doing.